The Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center

The Museum of Art & History publishes books on subjects of local historic interest and exhibition catalogues. History journals, books, and exhibition catalogues can be purchased at the Museum Store during regular visiting hours, or at MAH’s online shop.

The History Publications Committee was formed in the 1970s under the auspices of the Santa Cruz Historical Society, which would later be absorbed by the Museum of Art & History. Publication projects and funding are administered by committee members, consisting of knowledgeable community members and MAH staff.

The Fred D. McPherson Jr. Publications Fund is a source of funding for MAH publications. Mr. McPherson was approached in 1985 by Stanley D. Stevens, chairman of the publications committee, with a proposal to donate enough money to establish a revolving fund to publish local-history books. McPherson was happy to oblige, and the fund was launched. The first McPherson Fund book was Santa Cruz County Place Names, by Donald Thomas Clark. This publication was an instant success and all proceeds from that project, and all projects since then, have been returned to the Publications Fund to help fund future endeavors.

Guidelines for authors submitting material for consideration by the History Publications Committee can be found here (PDF).